maxbentley

Three months and you have a problem is a problem.

I have to go to Immigration 3X every 30 days on Bali.

You may want the Cambodian 'buy a visa' option.

Malaysia is the place.

Long visas upon entry and you can live in Penang or Langkawi and be next to the Thai border to travel in to and out of.

I would bet on a Chinese Malaysian bank with my life savings before a Thai Bank.

I rarely post but lived in Thailand for eight years and now have lived on Bali for eight years.

All of that is half year stints,but I have a fair grasp on the region.

I spent time living in Cambodia ,Malaysia and a bit in Laos.

I agree with KevThaivisa as he gives solid advice.

Malaysia can be a great place to live. The rule of law and multicultural diversity,along with fair-excellent visa terms makes Malaysia a winner.

With that said,anyboy that is looking for a home should travel the region.

Visa hassles come with every country.

Here on Bali it is a logistical pain as every month takes three trips to Immigration: Submit, pay and receive passport.

Good luck to the OP.

William L. Monson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William L Monson after a court dismissed perjury charges he filed against Thaksin Shinawatra, 11 September 2006

William "Bill" L Monson is an American cable television businessman and the current President of Seattle-based Clearview International and Clearview Wireless and manager of Hawaii-based CTVC. In the 1980s, Monson was involved in the establishment of Video Link, a Thai cable television joint-venture between Clearview and Thaksin Shinawatra's Shinawatra Computer and Communications (today known as Shin Corporation) and International Broadcasting Company (IBC, today known as United Broadcasting Corporation). He engaged in a series of controversial court cases against Thaksin, who by that time had become Prime Minister of Thailand, during the height of the 2005-2006 Thailand political crisis.

In 1989, he was accused of embezzling broadcasting equipment from the joint-venture. A court later acquitted him of the charges.

In 1995, he and four other plaintiffs filed breach of contract charges against Thaksin and 16 other defendants, the plaintiffs demanding 4.13 billion baht in compensation. In 2002, a court threw out the breach of contract charges after finding that the contract between Monson and Thaksin had never taken effect. The court ruled that the contract between Monson and CTVC of Hawaii (USA), on one side, and Thaksin, his wife, and Shinawatra Computer, on the other side, to set up Video Link Co Ltd was void from the beginning; Monson's resignation from Video Link's board of directors voided the contract. The court ordered Monson and the plaintiffs to pay nearly 2 million baht in lawyers' fees for the defendants.^[1]

Monson also filed a lawsuit claiming that Thaksin lied to a civil court during a trial on 22 July 1996 and demanded 6 billion baht in compensation. In September 2006, the court ruled that Monson had failed to bring Thaksin to court within the statute of limitations after filing the lawsuit. Monson defended his case by noting that "We never got to argue or look at the facts of the case. We lost this round based on a legal technicality."^[2] A second charge of perjury against Thaksin was also dismissed.^[3] Both cases are on appeal. Monson has won a civil case over ownership of equipment in two lower courts and are awaiting a Supreme Court decision following resolution of the criminal charges against Thaksin et al.

In addition Monson has filed a complaint with the Special Investigator looking into contracts involving MCOT and IBC.

In February 2007, Thaksin's wife requested that the Bank of Thailand allow her to transfer 400 million baht to the United Kingdom so that she could purchase a house. The central bank originally had no objection to the transfer, until Monson sent a latter to the central bank Governor. He claimed that the money transfer would jeopardise his legal cases against Thaksin, and threatened to hold the bank responsible for any damages he might incur. The Bank of Thailand then agreed to not permit the transfer.^[4][5]

Monson was married to a Thai woman and has two children.^[6]

Press Release

Bangkok - October 30, 2008….11:15 AM

Thaksin’s Associates Face Criminal Complaint

A complaint was filed today with the Thai Supreme Court by Nataporn Toeprayoon, attorney for William L. Monson, a former business partner of Thaksin Shinawatra. The Supreme Court convicted Thaksin of corruption charges last week. Named in the Complaint are Chalerm Yubumrang, the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT), its Board Members, International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), now TrueVision, and others. The charges stem from a Cable TV contract granted illegally by MCOT to IBC in 1989. The concession became the base for Thaksin’s telecommunications empire. Monson has fought a long legal battle with Thaksin and his companies in both Thai and US courts. Monson’s company Clearview International Ltd., pioneered telecommunications in Asia in the 1980’s. Starting in 1982 Clearview worked with MCOT to develop the framework to introduce the technology. In late 1985, when Thaksin was still a policeman, a joint venture between Monson’s companies and Thaksin’s (Shinawatra Computer and IBC) became the first Wireless Cable TV system to go on air in Asia. A government delay caused the partnership to be terminated with Thaksin’s companies selling their interest to Monson’s companies. Thaksin was paid to help clear the government blocks while Monson operated a company delivering CNN to Hotels in Bangkok. In mid 1988 Chalerm, Thaksin’s friend and fellow policeman became the Minister overseeing MCOT and its Chairman of the Board. Later, Thaksin informed Monson that he was going to operate the Cable TV concession himself. When Monson asked about the contracts and payments from Clearview to Thaksin for the business, Thaksin’s response was “This is Thailand”. After Chalerm became the Minister overseeing MCOT he reversed MCOT approval of Clearview for the contract corrupting the process of granting the concession for Clearview’s benefit. Police confiscated Monson’s equipment and filed Criminal Charges against him and his staff. After 7 years the Supreme Court cleared them of all these charges. During this period it was extremely difficult for Monson to travel to and do business in Thailand. Civil courts have ruled that Monson’s company owned the equipment. Thaksin’s IBC received the concession using Monson’s equipment and without bidding. When IBC went public the value of the company in the stock market was 760,000,000 USD giving Thaksin the base for his future telecom empire. Monson claims losses of 4.5 billion US dollars.

On December 1, 2008 the court accepted the case and appointed the Counter Corruption Commission to investigate.

Press Release Bangkok – June 17th, 2009 Thai Supreme Court Rejects Shinawatra Appeal The Thai Supreme Court issued a ruling today in a long running dispute between William Monson and Thaksin Shinawatra, et. al. Lower Courts had ruled that Monson’s company owned telecom equipment required to obtain a license granted by the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT) in 1989. The Supreme Court rejected Shinawatra’s appeal. Ownership of the equipment is at the heart of Criminal Charges filed (October 2008) with another division of the Supreme Court handling corrupt public officials. Shinawatra had always claimed that Monson had stolen the equipment and testified in a number of legal suits to that fact. Because of long legal delays, Thaksin was able to avoid perjury charges based on a statute of limitation legal defense, even though Thai Courts have ruled in Monson’s favor over the ownership issues. The Supreme Court division handling corrupt government officials has accepted the Criminal case filed October 20th 2008 and sent it to the Counter Corruption Commission for investigation. A report from the Counter Corruption Commission to the Prosecuting Attorney is expected soon so that the case can be presented to the Supreme Court for action.

Update: The Counter Corruption Commission denied Monson's case on grounds of statute of limitation and lack of evidence. Monson filed an appeal with the Constitutional Supreme Court citing the case decided by the Criminal Supreme Court, in his favor, as evidence and the Constitution stating a 25 year statute of limitations. The appeal to the Court was denied based on "no appeals accepted". Monson has filed both Criminal and Civil suits based on the Criminal Court's decision.

Don't know what backward country you live in but I am sure they are not as easy to get into as Thailand for a holiday. The very fact you have been doing it off and on for eight years shows how easy it is.

Thailand is looking to attract tourists not expats it has lot's of them already. You really should read the post before you kick your mindless bashing in to gear.

Most expats have a full brain and have other types of visa's You on the other hand

Give your brain a rest,pal.

I left when they changed the visa rules years ago.

I already listed the countries and if you can put your computer in to gear you can actually read the costs and visa fees I provide you.

Thailand has the Russian Mafia now.

I have plenty of friends in Thailand that keep me informed as to what is and is not happening.

.....

..... the lowly tourist spending $1,000 bucks+ every month is being treated like crap.

Dont get disheartend, it's still a vely luvely countly and it's people are so genuinely amazing, just watch how they bear it all, and how hard all concerned agencies are working together to make this crisis a "walk in the park" for everyone, ah' this bit of water and those farangs always complaining, complaining, complaining, they don't know... and hey doesn't becoming a victim in favor of "high grade tourist" make you feel proud, to be singled out as someone who doesn't spend enough in less then 30 days to support this countries tourism industry?

I think it's great!

and now even more so look at all the money that will be needed to fill all these bags....and support the economy.

Yeah,the villagers thought it great when I bought that fridge and Isuzu for them.

All those trips to the gold shop when I got 5,000 baht of love in return.

All those cases of Chang or Leo and boxes of chicken and sacks of rice out into the paddies.

Untold guest houses,restaurants and tuk tuk fares for visa runs.

Times that by tens of thousands of PT's that got told to get out-politely.

Then add inthe $1,000 /month in personal expenses.

It all adds up to something more than just keenyow felang.

Truck sales must be down.

Yes, free tourist visa, perfect for people living in Thailand for 10 years with tourist visa just as me !

And people who don't know what they are talking about still believe that it's not possible... funny...

Waiting for enlightenment.

Why are you the only one that is given ten year free tourist visas?

No. You could go to school and learn Thai and get an education visa. Some consuls gave out O visas, based on visiting and staying with friends, I'm not sure they do anymore though... But I really don't know of any country who allows someone without any attachments to their country just stay indefinitely...

Phuut pasaat Thai,dai,Khrup.Kawp Khun,Maak Maak!!

I can buy a one year in Cambodia for $750.

I can -and am presently doing -concurrent six months visas in Indonesia.

I am given three months in Malaysia -free visas-indefinitely.

I have friends that are high ranking Thai immigration officials and I can pay off somebody and get in.

Argument is : I want to be free.Thai.Free.Ironic,isn't it?

I used to be able to do that.We all did.

Major Mafia problems in Phuket and Pattaya and the Mafia problems are not addressed.

Instead,the regular guy is hung out to dry and the perpetual tourists that love Thailand left.

Now the govt is acknowledging that they have no tourist money.

Quit punishing PT's that provide good income for the Kingdom.

We all left.

I never paid fopr a visa on arrival, so what is the difference??

A Tourist visa allows you to stay 60 days. Some counties do not get 30 days on arrival...

30 days.Leave.

14 days.Leave.

Fly in every month? 30 days.

Most expats with half a brain don't wish to make an expensive journey to Burma,Malaysia or Cambodia once a month for a

30 day visa-every thirty days.

I believe the number of these expensive overland visa renewals every month has also been limited, please correct me if I'm wrong, but the last I heard was that a person was entitled to this type of renewal a maximum of 3 times before having to leave via an airport?

For eight years I did a monthly visa run up to Nong Khai and back.Now they are limited to 3,as you say,PER YEAR.

I wonder why me and all my friends left?

One cannot live in Thai under 50 years of age.

Anybody with another legal course that does not involve paying off some official or agency?

I never paid fopr a visa on arrival, so what is the difference??

A Tourist visa allows you to stay 60 days. Some counties do not get 30 days on arrival...

30 days.Leave.

14 days.Leave.

Fly in every month? 30 days.

Most expats with half a brain don't wish to make an expensive journey to Burma,Malaysia or Cambodia once a month for a

30 day visa-every thirty days.

Tourist visas are for tourists, at least that's why they call them a tourist visa... As an expat I have a non immigrant visa and I don't ever do a visa run... I just get a one year extension every year.

I am under 50 years of age and have no fixed address,wife or Thai attachments.

Do I qualify for a non immigrant visa ?

TIA

I never paid fopr a visa on arrival, so what is the difference??

A Tourist visa allows you to stay 60 days. Some counties do not get 30 days on arrival...

30 days.Leave.

14 days.Leave.

Fly in every month? 30 days.

Most expats with half a brain don't wish to make an expensive journey to Burma,Malaysia or Cambodia once a month for a

30 day visa-every thirty days.

I never paid for a visa on arrival, so what is the difference??:

I lived in Thailand off and on for eight years.

I left when the visa restrictions became an issue of ignorance or worse.

The Kingdom has the Russian Mafia operating freely but the lowly tourist spending $1,000 bucks+ every month is being treated like crap.

One free visa on arrival is a joke and now the officials that honored thieves are being shown the reality of their ignorance.

Treat honest people with fairness and they might come back one day.

Thailand blew it.

This is where there seems to be a disconnect between Thai govt agencies and illustrates,highlights a lack of cohesion.

Thailand does not need foreigners that are hurting their country.

That means any illegal activities,including owning or operating a business illegally.

If the Thai agencies cannot cooperate to eliminate real 'illegals' there is a disconnect within the system protecting those individuals that should not be allowed to stay in Thailand.

The Immigration system is performing a face-saving measure to the Thai people while the game goes on.

When the rules changed to eliminate all foreigners while protecting those that should really have no right to even enter Thailand I left.

Here in Indonesia I have stayed six months at any one time and then leave the country only to return for another six months.

Legal agencies are used to facilitate one month visas and that is the way it is done up to a six months stay.

Illegal aliens and/or ferang that are not worthy of staying in Thailand is a matter thrust upon Immigration with a blanket solution serving nobody appropriately.

To the routine annoyance of people within ear-shot, I can normally talk for England,

but this report, assuming it is totally accurate, makes me speechless with gloom and

sorrow.

Anyone else having second/third/fourth....thoughts about living in this cruel land ?

(given the endless stream of bad-news....perhaps just stop reading TV altogether.)

And before anyone jumps up with the usual: Bad things happen everywhere, even

in cuddly England...absolutely right....but I bet you cannot come up with any story of

a gang descending on and beating a lone woman for trying to sell a few items of fruit ?

Behind all the gold decor, posing in pastel shirts, and quaint mannerisms, Cruel LOS ?

This poor woman,treated like a dog or slave or worse.May she exact revenge on these animals.

Spent eight years in and out of Thailand-mostly up north.

Great country,beautiful people but something is definitely wrong with the place.

I left four years ago when it became abundantly clear that those of us that legitimately spent their disposable income in the country were being treated less than proper.

Bye bye Thailand.

There are much better places and people to enjoy.

I would spend $1,000-$1,500 per month -every month- in Thailand.

Then they changed the immigration rules and I left.

I suspect hundreds of thousands to millions of men and women left that were free to come and go as they please.

Thailand should get back to its roots and become a free country again.

Somebody has really screwed up.

Russian gangsters running Pattaya but the people that supported the backbone of this country with hard currency are the ones that are made to leave.

Change your immigration policies, Thailand.I have lived on a nice island in Indonesia since the Immigration laws labelled me as persona non grata.

Cheaper,nice people,no alcohol culture.

I miss Thailand but no way will I ever go back until the attitude in the country changes.

"I'm going to be a bit blunt here, but you know what ? Not Happy ? Go back home."

Yom07 ,you are missing a point or two.

When the visa rules changed many who could financially afford to live in Thailand were directly asked to leave.

I am under 50 years of age and have no interest in a business or working in Thailand.

I did visa runs for seven years and supported hotels,tuk-tuk drivers,taxis,buses and restaurants remaining legally in Thailand.

I supported Thai girfriends and their families and mostly enjoyed my time in Thailand.

When the country makes a blatant attempt to restrict foreign visitors they do go elsewhere.

I have stayed in Cambodia and now Indonesia since Thailand changed their visa requirements.

I have also stayed for long terms in Malaysia and Viet Nam.

The point is that there is a distinct human mechanism/condition that recognises unfairness.

When you are treated unfairly you are decidedly unhappy and then finally,you must go elsewhere.

Now the overwhelming numbers show this is a fact.

For many different reasons there is no 'going back home'.

I have spent one-third of my adult 'life' in foreign countries so 'home' is an interchangeable option and choice.

Unfortunately,for many of us,going back to Thailand is no longer a viable option.

'They charged that although the government had announced tourism as a national priority, to date no concrete measures have been implemented by concerned-agencies to boost the country’s tourism industry.'

Yes,there have been plenty-concrete NEGATIVE measures enacted.

National priority,my ***.

Mandatory visas,no visa runs,rules,new rules,what are the rules?????-skip,hop,jump.

The average guy that wants to find a low cost living somewhere just got fed up and left.

Hello???????

Cambodia and Indo-can buy long term visas.

Malaysia-three months upon arrival.

Thailand-nobody can even figure it out except you get the overall feeling 'nobody wants you'.

Lost the plot,folks.

Thailand,great people,great country.

Utter silly nonesense when it comes to implementing conditions to allow foreigners to boost your economic stature.

Get it together Thailand and protect tourists.

Start with ATM fees and close with implementing the old visa rules and plenty of tourists-short and long term-will come back.

Thailaban,

Once your $25- 30 day tourist visa on arrival or maximum stay of 60 days ($55) expires you have options if you wish to remain in Indonesia:

Stay and pay $20 USD's per day overstay charges.

Leave and then re-enter-which means flying or boating out and then back-costly.

Purchasing one year tourist visas-I was quoted $750-$1,000.00(depending on agency).

The agency in Bali I used quotes and charges $55 on a monthly basis- for 30 day visas after your initial tourist visa has transpired.

"Indonesian VISA's are just $ 25 if you buy them on arrival (30 days on arrival). I never was in need of the regular 60-days-tourist VISA, but I dont think it costs $ 55 a month (that would be 110 $ for 60 days - highly unlikely..... though right now I am too lazy at the moment to search at the website of the indonesian embassy in my home country....)" Thailaban

I have recently entered Indonesia twice on separate 60 day($55 and $60) tourist visas.

http://www.bali-travel-online.com/visa_regulation.html

Obviously, the Thai govt is creating resistance for those wishing to travel and enjoy the kingdom.

Having lived in Thailand many years and now having lived in other SE Asian countries I suggest that others broaden their horizons and support other nations.

I just spent six weeks in a large Malyasian city,saw half a dozen foreigners.

I lived on Bali for four months,visas are $55 per month-just go down and pay.

Malay mainland and Borneo,Indonesia,Laos,Philippines,Cambodia,Viet Nam-so many beautiful places with decent accomadations and competiitve living standards.

If the Thai govt need to apply increasingly restrictive laws then there are problems and I do not wish to be a focal point of their issues.

Anybody wishing to enjoy a good standard of living in a more hospitable environment should just vote with their feet and purchasing power.

I see no advantage in staying where I am no longer wanted or accepted due to societal problems I did not create or nurture.

Thailand is a magnificent country but so are many other nations.

Enjoy life where conditions state you are desired and accepted.

Very sad,indeed.

My condolences to the Kimber family- a young and beautiful woman taken away.

Vancouver and Vancouver Island television stations and newspapers have been covering the recent Canadian deaths.

Del Pinto's Calgary family has been calling for a Thailand boycott.

Travel shows have been talking about the dangers of travel in Thailand.

Dale Henry's brother and Dale have been on the tube-a lot.

Just saw the clip on the six o'clock news here on local Vancouver television.

Leading story.

Real sad story.

M condolences go out to all who loved this man.

RIP.

I remember reading a front page article in the Bangkok Post some four years ago that stated there were over 200 hitmen in Surat Thani province,alone.

To make one's name the junior hitmen murdered for free.

It is not just foreigners that are hit in Thailand,it is just that there are more and more foreigners living/travelling in Thailand highlighting the dark side of the 'Land of Smiles.'

Those of us whom have lived in Thailand know that these type of stories are common for Thai nationals and now-more and more-for foreigners.

Calgarian died defending friend from Thai officer

Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald

Published: Tuesday, January 08, 2008

A Canadian woman who was shot in Thailand says her best friend was protecting her when he was killed by an off-duty police officer.

In an interview from her intensive care bed at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital, Carly Reisig said she was walking home Saturday night with her friend, Calgarian Leo Del Pinto, when a man approached them and punched her in the face.

"Leo just said, 'Nobody hits her' and he pushed (the man) and he fell down," Reisig said. "When he got back up, he had a gun."

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Font:****Del Pinto, 25, tried to disarm the attacker, she said.

"The man got control of the gun, pointed it at Leo and shot him in the head and chest."

He then turned to her.

"He pointed it directly at my heart and shot" about an inch away from her chest.

Reisig said she looked over and saw her friend dead on the ground, with blood everywhere, then blacked out.

She awoke in the hospital, choking on the blood that filled her lungs.

The 24-year-old was later rushed to a hospital in Chiang Mai, about four hours away from the rural town of Pai, where the incident occurred.

On Monday, Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat was charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder, but was allowed to walk free while the case is under investigation after promising not to tamper with witnesses.

Del Pinto's family is calling on the Canadian government to pressure authorities in Thailand to fully investigate the case.

"We believe this is a cold-blooded killing and we want this person brought to justice," said Del Pinto family friend Ross Fortune.

Del Pinto's parents and twin older sisters question the validity of Thai officials working on the case and have been "aggressive" with Canadian officials to pressure the Thai government to get the straight story of how the tragedy unfolded.

No official answers to their questions have been forthcoming, Fortune said.

Reuters reported that witnesses told police Dechawiwat had been asked to stop a fight between Del Pinto and Reisig.

Reisig said the pair had not been fighting.

Dechawiwat turned himself in after what he said was an accident.

"Since he has surrendered after the shootout, we let him go free after informing him of charges of murder and attempted murder," Pai police chief Wanchai Suwanrirkate told Reuters.

The family is reeling from reports the police officer may have been out on bail for another incident.

"We obviously feel some frustration and anger with this individual if that is the case," said Fortune, who is engaged to one of Del Pinto's sisters.

Del Pinto had arrived in Thailand three days before the shooting.

Reisig didn't see him for the first two days after he arrived, but they met up on Saturday night.

"I was really excited to see him because he's my best friend," Reisig said.

The friends had known each other for about three years.

"I love him," she added, breaking down in tears.

As they walked home from a bar they were talking about how different their lives have been, hers in Thailand, his in Canada.

Along with a painful recovery, Reisig faces a future without her best friend and questions that have no obvious answers at this point.

"We had no weapons on us. We were just two kids walking down the road, so happy to see each other. Someone took away everything," she said.

"He said nothing. There was no reason for it."

Across the Pacific in Chilliwack, B.C., Reisig's parents are also struggling, and find themselves caught in a quagmire of questions with no one to turn to for answers.

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Font:****"We haven't found out a lot of stuff yet," said Reisig's mother, Suzanne, who first learned what happened when she got a phone call from Reisig in the hospital.

"She told me she was in the hospital and that she had been shot and that Leo had been killed," Suzanne said.

Since then, the family has received no help. They contacted the embassy in Thailand and were given a case number and also spoke with a woman at the consulate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are aware a Canadian citizen was shot.

"Officials in Bangkok are offering consular assistance and are also in contact with local authorities," said ministry spokesman Bernard Nguyen.

But consular assistance is only offered after it has been requested, he explained.

Suzanne Reisig says she wants answers.

"I want to know what happened. Why did this policeman shoot this innocent couple? They weren't arguing. Even if they were, since when does a cop just start killing people? Tourists that were minding their own business."

She said the toughest part is that her daughter is so far away.

"She's in shock. This has been very traumatizing for her. She's by herself," Suzanne told the Herald.

Reisig has been in Thailand for about a year, travelling around. Originally from Chilliwack, she was living in Vancouver before she made the trip to Asia.

She and Del Pinto met in Vancouver, Suzanne said.

While Suzanne hadn't met Del Pinto, her daughter had talked about him.

"He was just a very polite, well mannered, non confrontational. . . . One of the nicest people she had met."

[email protected]

Calgary Sun

8 January 2008

Would you hesitate travelling abroad after a Calgary man was shot to death in Thailand?

Yes

No

SUBMIT · RESULTS

Calgary man called hero

The Calgary man shot to death by an off-duty Thai police officer is being touted as a hero for defending a female friend.

Full Story

Woman Says Pal Saved Her

Front page photo

http://www.calgarysun.com/index.shtml

Family demands answers in shooting

Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald

Published: Monday, January 07, 2008

The family of a man shot and killed after an apparent scuffle with an off-duty police officer in Thailand is calling on the Canadian government to pressure overseas authorities to investigate and prosecute the case fully.

Whether or not it's a foreign country, taking a life is not justified, said Del Pinto family spokesman Ross Fortune. "We believe this is a cold blood killing and we want this person brought to justice," he said Monday, as the family of Leo Del Pinto, 25, continued to try to deal with his death.

Del Pinto was shot and killed early Sunday morning as he walked home from the bar with friend Carly Reisig -- who was also shot, but survived -- in the rural town of Pai in northern Thailand.

Leo Del Pinto, 25, was shot twice early Sunday morning

More pictures: < Prev | Next >

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Font:****A Thai police officer has since been charged with premeditated murder in connection with Del Pinto's death.

His parents and twin older sisters, however, are questioning the validity of Thai officials working on the case and have been "aggressive" with Canadian officials to pressure the Thai government to get the straight story of how the tragedy unfolded.

No official answers to their questions have been forthcoming, Fortune said.

The family is also reeling from unconfirmed reports the police officer involved may have been out on bail for another incident.

"We obviously feel some frustration and anger with this individual if that is the case," said Fortune, who is engaged to one of Del Pinto's sisters.

Del Pinto had arrived in the country only three days before the fateful shooting and come to the rural community of Pai in northern Thailand, described as home to a mix of locals, tourists and foreign expatriates living there for the long term.

Reisig didn't see him for the first two days after he arrived, but they finally met up on Saturday night.

"I was really excited to see him because he's my best friend," Reisig told the Herald from her hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Chiangmai Ram Hospital.

The pair had known each other for about three years.

"I love him," she added, breaking down in tears.

As they walked home from the bar they talked about how different their lives have been, hers in Thailand, his in Canada.

Then, as they passed a restaurant, a man came up to her and punched Reisig in the face.

"Leo just said, 'Nobody hits her' and he pushed (the man) and he fell down. When he got back up he had a gun." Del Pinto and the man -- later determined to be an off-duty police officer -- were struggling as they both tried to gain possession of the gun.

"The man got control of the gun, pointed it at Leo and shot him in the head and chest," Reisig said.

He then turned to her.

"He pointed it directly at my heart and shot" about an inch away from her chest.

Reisig looked over and saw her friend dead on the ground, blood everywhere, then blacked out.

She woke in the hospital, choking on the blood that filled her lungs. The 24-year-old was later rushed to the hospital in Chiangmai, about four hours away, where she is now recovering.

On Monday, Sgt. Uthai Dechawiwat was charged with premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings, but was allowed to walk free while the case is under investigation after promising not to tamper with witnesses.

He had turned himself in after what he said was an accident.

"Since he has surrendered after the shootout, we let him go free after informing him of charges of murder and attempted murder," Pai police chief Wanchai Suwanrirkate told Reuters.

Witnesses reportedly told police Dechawiwat had been asked to stop a fight between Del Pinto and Reisig.

Reisig said the pair had not been fighting.

Now, along with a painful recovery, she faces a future without her best friend and questions that have no obvious answers at this point.

"We had no weapons on us. We were just two kids walking down the road, so happy to see each other. Someone took away everything," she said.

"He said nothing. There was no reason for it."

Across the Pacific in Chilliwack, B.C., Reisig's parents are also struggling, but find themselves caught in a quagmire of questions with no one to turn to for answers.

"We haven't found out a lot of stuff yet," said Reisig's mother, Suzanne, who first learned what had happened when she got a phone call from Reisig in the hospital.

"She told me she was in the hospital and that she had been shot and that Leo had been killed," Suzanne said.

Since then, the family has received no help. They contacted the embassy in Thailand and were given a case number and also spoke with a woman at the consulate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are aware a Canadian citizen was shot.

"Officials in Bangkok are offering consular assistance and are also in contact with local authorities," said ministry spokesman Bernard Nguyen.

But consular assistance is only offered after it has been requested, he explained.

News of the charges against the off-duty police officer involved fails to provide any of the answers the family is seeking, however.

"I want to know what happened. Why did this policeman shoot this innocent couple? They weren't arguing. Even if the were, since when does a cop just start killing people? Tourists that were minding their own business," Suzanne said.

She said the toughest part is that her daughter is so far away.

"She's in shock. This has been very traumatizing for her. She's by herself," she told the Herald.

Reisig has been in Thailand for about a year, traveling around. Originally from Chilliwack, she was living in Vancouver before she made the trip over to Asia.

She and Del Pinto met in Vancouver, Suzanne said.

While Suzanne hadn't met Del Pinto, her daughter had talked about him.

"He was just a very polite, well mannered, non confrontational.... One of the nicest people she had met."

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© Calgary Herald 2008

Khun?

I am not in Thailand and my per diem rate is more than $200 a day plus house provided as well as food if I want.

I live on less than $30 a day.

If Thailand wanted to be a haven for foreigners that fall though the cracks as long term residents (travellers)

then they would not require anyone to leave the country at all for visas.

It is quite simple to get a proper visa.

Talking about stink, what type of person cannot get a proper visa in a country like thailand.

Amazing Thailand was not intended to mean the #1 attraction of foreign failures, creeps and losers.

I would tend to both agree and say you are wrong khun?.

Having never been to Pattaya I would imagine it has every type of human represented-Thai and foreign,both.

Many of the humans you describe as being 'foreign failures,creeps and losers' are entertained in Thailand.

Parts of Thailand was made for them-was it not? Physically constructed? Bottom up.

That means the Thais are enabling and represented in your grouping of humanity.

After all.it takes one to know one.

I am led to believe a segment of Thailand is trying to rid itself of immigrants that are a threat to their power structure-travellers

and those that live on lower incomes are a threat to absolutely nobody.Period-whatever you believe it looks like from where you sit.

Some of these 'immigrants or tourists or retirees' would be wealthy and powerful.

Repatriating some of these that are protected would be a way out for the Thai authorities to have a thorny problem solved without

a loss of face or associated blame.

I have an experience of meeting a Californian man-Thai born-who was wanted in California as his activities with Chinese associations

there were described as the fringe or extreme of society.

As I sat with him for hours he told me of the wealthy,very wealthy,who can come and go from Thailand and hide out for

whatever length of time is necessary.

He told me Thailand is able to accomadate his peers and that many have businesses and contacts that enable them to remain.

My inkling is that the implementation of visa regulations is not intended for the regular tourist for the most part.

If that were the case much more strict requirements would have been put in place to begin with.

This is a gentle way of being able to enforce immigration laws that may enable Thailand to further protect itself.

The poor are always targeted and used but rarely the problem,as has been amply demonstrated here within this forum.